Documents

Where documents include maps, the use of this data is subject to terms and conditions (https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/termsandconditions).

The legal document available for download below constitutes the formal designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The additional details provided on this page are provided for information purposes only and do not form part of the designation. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within this additional information.

• Type

  Legal Documents

  Title

  SM5911_Legal Doc

  Download(https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/document/600011808)

Summary

Description

The monument comprises the remains of an enclosure of prehistoric date represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs. It is likely to represent a former enclosed settlement of the later prehistoric period although it may instead represent an earlier ritual enclosure such as a henge.

The monument is in a flat arable field at around 80m OD, close to the modern farm of Fletcherfield. The enclosure is defined by a broad penannular ditch, some 6m wide, with an overall diameter of approximately 25m. It has a well-defined, narrow, NE-facing entrance. The enclosure appears somewhat too large to represent a former roofed structure, although its internal diameter, at approximately 12m, is relatively small for a prehistoric enclosed settlement.

There are other indications of later prehistoric settlement in the vicinity which suggest that it may represent part of a wider system of settlement and land use in the vicinity.

It is not impossible, however, that the enclosure belongs to a somewhat earlier period and represents a small ritual enclosure of henge type.

The area to be scheduled encompasses the enclosure and an area around it in which traces of associated activity may be expected to survive. It is circular with a diameter of 80m as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Statement of National Importance

The monument is of national importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of later prehistoric enclosed settlement and economy. In the event that it is an earlier, ritual enclosure it would be of equal, if not greater, importance because of its potential to add to our understanding of earlier prehistoric ritual practices.

References

Bibliography

About Scheduled Monuments

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Scheduling is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for monuments and archaeological sites of national importance as set out in the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

We schedule sites and monuments that are found to be of national importance using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Scheduled monument records provide an indication of the national importance of the scheduled monument which has been identified by the description and map. The description and map (see ‘legal documents’ above) showing the scheduled area is the designation of the monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. The statement of national importance and additional information provided are supplementary and provided for general information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland accepts no liability for any loss or damages arising from reliance on any inaccuracies within the statement of national importance or additional information. These records are not definitive historical or archaeological accounts or a complete description of the monument(s).

The format of scheduled monument records has changed over time. Earlier records will usually be brief. Some information will not have been recorded and the map will not be to current standards. Even if what is described and what is mapped has changed, the monument is still scheduled.

Scheduled monument consent is required to carry out certain work, including repairs, to scheduled monuments. Applications for scheduled monument consent are made to us. We are happy to discuss your proposals with you before you apply and we do not charge for advice or consent. More information about consent and how to apply for it can be found on our website at www.historicenvironment.scot.

Find out more about scheduling and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.